URSA Engage Program 2013Position Descriptions for Students to Apply For

Faculty Name & Department/School: Dr. Stacey Harper EMT/CBEE

Research Project Title: Agglomeration kinetics of nanoparticles in aqueous environments.

Project Overview:
Nanoparticle agglomeration is an important consideration for toxicology studies as it governs nanoparticle transport in the environment (influencing the potential for exposure) and determines the bioavailability of the materials (influencing the dose experienced by organisms in the environment). The goal of this study is to examine the agglomeration dynamics of a variety of nanomaterials with changes in water parameters such as salinity, temperature and pH. Results will be informative to the nanotoxicology community who continue to struggle with such confounding factors in experimental design.

What skills will students obtain in this project?

Students will learn how to handle nanomaterials, analyze data, and work as a part of an integrated, interdisciplinary research team.

Student research tasks:

Students will use microscopic and optical instrumentation to characterize nanomaterial size, agglomeration state and determine changes in particodynamics with changes in water chemistry.

Period of work - Spring and Fall

Number of hours per week expected of student: 10-15

Preferred Faculty Contact Information: (note - applications are NOT sent to mentors - see instructions)